[Community Television] Discussion model for local community television

[Diane Reid]

Dear TV list member,

I've attached a discussion model for community television and would be
interested in constructive ideas and comment. It is not intended to be
definitive or overly prescriptive but to form a basis for discussion around
content and funding.
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A MODEL FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT LOCAL COMMUNITY TELEVISION

Summary

This not-for-profit model* is suggested by the Community Media Association
for discussion, also for an investigation of its sustainability. The
underlying aim is to arrive at a model or models of local television
provision which will enrich the future digital broadcasting landscape and
ensure that diverse and community voices are included.

1. Characteristics

The characteristics of this model are based on those required of community
radio stations as described in the Community Radio Order 2004. Community
Television stations should

· Be primarily for the good of members of the public and be operated in
order to deliver social gain, rather than for commercial reasons
· Serve one or more communities (a neighbourhood or group of people who have
one or more interests and characteristics in common)
· Not be provided in order to make a financial profit, and use any profit
produced to support the service or for the social gain of the public or the
target community
· Offer members of the target community opportunities to participate in the
operation and management of the service
· Be accountable to the target community

2. Content and Funding

Content and funding would be delivered from four sources (percentages relate
to proposed funding proportion and could be varied)

A. 30% content from social regeneration, arts and culture, community
cohesion, social inclusion imperatives, community originated, grants funded,
to deliver the particular requirements of public and other funders with
objectives compatible with the social gain requirements of the stations

B. 40% content PSP funded, created, swapped, exchanged and shared as
required by a network of (not necessarily exclusively?) community providers:
this would be an appropriate and creative use of PSP money

C. 20% content news and topical local affairs provided by a local
community-BBC partnership, involving a mixture of commissioning, content
sharing and possible extensions to web or other platforms

D. 10% core funding, for example, from a Community Media Fund (an extended
version of the Community Radio Fund)

This model excludes advertising revenue.

Community Media Association March 2005

*Based on an idea by Professor Sylvia Harvey of Lincoln University
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Some initial comments have been that A. could include funding from other
areas of the voluntary sector to raise awareness of issues and disseminate
information about their work and that C. could include university news
provision,  I look forward to receiving your comments.

Best wishes,
Diane

Diane Reid
Director
Community Media Association
Access to the media for people and communities
http://www.commedia.org.uk/

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